Zang Ling felt like she had swallowed a fishbone, choking on the memories of Yuan Haolang’s behavior, it was as unpleasant as eating shit.

“Impossible. There is absolutely no way I would marry that man!”

“What’s impossible?” Jiang Qiongyin walked downstairs with a face mask on, noticing that no one had touched the dishes on the table. Confused, she asked, “What were you all just talking about? Why aren’t you eating? I told you not to wait for me.”

Zang Ling turned to her. “Mrs. Zang, you came at the right time. Do you know Yuan Haolang?”

Jiang Qiongyin replied, “Yes, of course… Wait, Lingling, you already know?”

Zang Ling pressed her lips together slightly. “Why didn’t you tell me before? If you had told me earlier, I could have dealt with this sooner.”

Even though she didn’t care about the engagement, just knowing that she was tied to it made her feel extremely uncomfortable.

Zang Xiuming explained, “The Yuan family never brought it up before. We thought it was just a joke, so we didn’t mention it to you. Who knew they would suddenly bring it up now?”

Jiang Qiongyin sat down at the dining table, massaging her face with the remaining essence from her mask. As she did, she said, “We found it a bit odd, so we didn’t agree immediately. We just told them to let you and Yuan Haolang meet first.”

“…Mom, was the person you kept urging me to meet yesterday him?”

“Yes, what’s wrong? We’ve met Yuan Haolang’s parents before. They seem like decent people, so we assumed his upbringing wouldn’t be too bad.”

Upon hearing this, Zang Ling immediately crossed her arms in a gesture of rejection. “No, no, no. Forget about his character being awful—even if he was decent, I still wouldn’t be interested!”

Zang Xiuming was puzzled. “Lingling, how can you be so sure? You haven’t even met him yet.”

Zang Ling felt irritated just thinking about what happened during the day, and let out a cold laugh. “That lunatic came to my company today and caused a huge scene, telling my employees to call me downstairs to welcome him. When I refused, he tried to barge in. The engagement isn’t even confirmed yet, but he already acts like he owns me, pulling a power move right in front of me. Even if you gave this kind of man to me for free, I wouldn’t take him!”

Zang Xiuming was furious. “Outrageous! Lingling, if that brat dares to bother you again, call me. I’ll bring people over to teach him a lesson!”

Jiang Qiongyin frowned. “I didn’t expect Yuan Haolang to be like this. Honey, tomorrow, you should arrange more bodyguards for Lingling. It’s too dangerous.”

Zang Xiuming nodded. “Got it!”

“As for your grandfather… we’ll go and reject the engagement. You don’t need to worry about it.”

Zang Xiuming walked over and patted Jiang Qiongyin’s shoulder, his face lighting up with excitement. “Honey, you don’t know this yet, but Lingling has someone she likes!”

Jiang Qiongyin shot up from her seat in delight, staring at Zang Ling with eager eyes. “Really? What kind of person is he? Is he good-looking? When will you bring him home?”

Zang Ling glared at Zang Xiuming. “I only have a good impression of him; I wouldn’t say I ‘like’ him yet. Right now, I’m still pursuing him. He’s a bit shy.”

Jiang Qiongyin sighed in disappointment and sat back down. “You haven’t won him over yet? Looks like I’ll have to wait longer before I can hold a grandchild.”

“Lingling, do you want Dad to teach you a few tricks? Back in the day, your mother was very popular, but she ended up marrying me.”

Zang Ling rolled her eyes. “Dad, Mom married you because you were the best-looking among her suitors. Our situation is different. But don’t worry, I’ve already planned my strategy. I promise I’ll bring my boyfriend home soon. Oh, but Mom, even if I get married, I may not necessarily have kids.”

Jiang Qiongyin waved her hand disappointedly. “Up to you. Young people have their own ideas now, and we can’t stop you. I just hope that in the future, when we’re gone, you’ll have someone by your side to keep you company.”

Zang Xiuming nodded in agreement and wrapped an arm around Jiang Qiongyin’s shoulders.

“Your mom is right. We’re just afraid that you’ll be too lonely in the future, with no one to talk to.”

Zang Ling wanted to joke that she could finally live as a shut-in, but looking at the wrinkles on her parents’ faces, she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

After a moment of silence, she walked over and hugged them. “Mom, Dad, I love you.”

“We love you too.”

“Alright, let’s eat! If we wait any longer, the food will get cold. Lingling, I made your favorite dish today.”

Zang Ling let go and gave Zang Xiuming a sweet smile. “Okay, my dear Dad.”

“And me? What about me?”

“Of course—my beautiful Mom.”

Just then, Zang Ling’s phone suddenly rang. She glanced at it casually, then quickly stood up and answered the call with a bright smile.

Zang Xiuming and Jiang Qiongyin exchanged a look and grinned.

Oh? Looks like the future son-in-law was calling.

The next second, they watched as Zang Ling hurriedly ran outside. Jiang Qiongyin called after her, “Lingling, where are you going?”

“I’m going to pick someone up. I’ll be back soon!”

Zang Xiuming watched his daughter’s retreating figure and muttered in jealousy, “She’s already acting so eager, and they’re not even together yet. Imagine what she’ll be like once they are.”

“And why should my daughter be the one pursuing that boy? My daughter is so outstanding. Shouldn’t that be enough to make him fall for her?”

“Haven’t you heard Lingling say he’s shy? He’s probably just a timid kid. Being a little more proactive is a good thing.” Jiang Qiongyin held his hand and sighed. “Weren’t you the same back in the day? No matter what, we’re here for her, so stop worrying.”

Zang Xiuming sighed. “Girls really can’t be kept at home once they grow up.”

Zang Ling spotted Yan Wenshu in the garden. She immediately ran over, but as she got closer, she slowed her steps and mischievously poked him lightly on the back.

“Yan Wenshu!”

Yan Wenshu froze for a moment, then turned around with a smile. “Chairman Zang, you’re here.”

Zang Ling didn’t respond. She just stared at him.

“What’s wrong?” Yan Wenshu couldn’t help but ask.

Zang Ling raised her phone in front of him, [Call me Zang Ling, and don’t use formal titles.]

Yan Wenshu found it amusing but kept his expression neutral as he shyly said, “Zang… Ling.”

“You… You forgot some files on your desk.” He took them out of his bag and handed them to her. “Here you go.”

“That’s more like it.” Zang Ling nodded approvingly, taking the files with a smile. “Thanks for coming all this way. I’ll transfer the cab fare to you on WeChat later.”

“No need. This is something I should do as a secretary..”

Zang Ling didn’t argue further and instead asked, “Have you eaten dinner?”

Yan Wenshu replied, “I have.”

“Really?” Zang Ling didn’t believe him. He was still in his work suit. He’d clearly come straight from the office.

She grabbed his arm and pulled him forward. “Since you’re already here, you might as well stay a bit. My parents are curious about what my boyfriend looks like.”

Yan Wenshu panicked. “I don’t think that’s a good idea… I didn’t bring anything.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Your presence is the best gift.” Zang Ling dismissed his concerns. “We haven’t had dinner yet, so you’ll have the chance to eat a little more. I know you haven’t eaten. There’s no need to lie to me.”

Yan Wenshu paused, then lowered his head in embarrassment. “Sorry, I lied.”

“You should apologize,” Zang Ling stopped walking and looked at him seriously. “ but not to me—to yourself. If I hadn’t asked, were you planning on skipping dinner? Your health is the foundation of everything. If you don’t eat properly and end up with health issues in the future, you’ll regret it.”

“…You’re right.”

Yan Wenshu lowered his gaze. “But it doesn’t matter. I’m alone, even if I get sick, no one will know.”

“You have me.” Zang Ling said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Yan Wenshu looked up.

She spoke earnestly. “I care about you. I don’t want you to get sick.”

“If you’re feeling unwell, say so. Don’t hide it. My mom just fainted the other day because she wasn’t eating properly.”

Then, she flashed a mischievous smile. “So, I’ll be keeping an eye on you.”

Yan Wenshu’s expression turned complicated. For a fleeting moment, he felt that Zang Ling was different from everyone else.

But…

What did it matter if Zang Ling was a good person? What did that have to do with him?

The phone in his pocket lit up briefly before going dark again.

——

Chen Wenting: [Yan Wenshu, thank you for bringing me the files. I’ll treat you to milk tea next time.]

Five minutes later.

A reply was sent: [No problem.]

——

“Mom, Dad, I’m back. This is Yan Wenshu, my new secretary, and also the person I’m pursuing. I forgot something at the office, so he brought it over for me.”

“This is my dad, Zang Xiuming, and my mom, Jiang Qiongyin.”

Yan Wenshu was still processing Zang Ling’s blunt introduction when he saw the refined middle-aged man in front of him extend a hand. “Hello.”

“Hello, Uncle Zang.”

Jiang Qiongyin looked Yan Wenshu up and down, nodding in approval as she spoke warmly. “Come in and have a seat. Are you thirsty? Would you like something to drink? Have you eaten? If not, perfect timing—join us.”

Not used to such enthusiasm, Yan Wenshu replied, “Thank you, Aunt Jiang. I apologize for showing up unannounced and disturbing you.”

“No worries! I’d love for you to come by more often!” Jiang Qiongyin beamed. “Looking at you two, I can already imagine how beautiful your children will be…”

Hearing that, Zang Ling glanced at Yan Wenshu before cutting in. “Mom, let’s eat first.”

“Oh! I’ll get the food.”

Zang Xiuming watched his wife and daughter fawning over Yan Wenshu, feeling somewhat disgruntled. If this man really became Lingling’s boyfriend, wouldn’t his own position in the family drop even further?

At the dinner table, the two women focused all their attention on Yan Wenshu, constantly urging him to eat more.

Zang Ling, in particular, kept adding food to his bowl. It wasn’t until he hiccupped that she reluctantly stopped.

Zang Xiuming was exasperated. He coughed forcefully and asked, “Yan Wenshu, what do you look for in a future partner?”

“Hmm…” Yan Wenshu hesitated before replying shyly, “I think as long as you love someone, nothing else matters.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Zang Xiuming realized he’d made a mistake. He saw the satisfied expressions on Jiang Qiongyin and Zang Ling’s faces and had a sinking feeling that he’d just shot himself in the foot.

This kid is too good with words. A smooth talker like that isn’t trustworthy. He must have ulterior motives! I need to find his weaknesses!

Zang Xiuming swallowed his frustration and said in a strange tone, “Our Lingling has been spoiled by us since she was a child. Her future partner absolutely cannot let her suffer in any way. And you know she’s the CEO of Tianhai—our family business is huge, and we can’t rest easily. That’s why we’ve decided that in the future, we’ll need a son-in-law to marry into our family.”

“Dad, what are you even talking about?! I never agreed to that!” Zang Ling was utterly baffled by her father’s words. She and Yan Wenshu weren’t even together yet, so what was the point of bringing this up now?

And when did she ever say she wanted a matrilocal son-in-law?!